It's that time of the year for quickly changing trail conditions and road closures. Let's talk trails first. For those of you who have been up to northern areas of New England recently, you have probably run into some of that cold white stuff, snow and ice! Rocks are ever so gingerly being covered with it and ski mountains are slowly opening up. With the cold temperatures also comes ice. That ice can be under, over, around or even in between layers of snow. Right now for any hikes above 2,000ft we are recommended some form of light foot traction. Always be prepared to go down what you have hiked up and check the local weather (www.mwobs.com) for recent updates on changing conditions and temperatures. It may be 50 degrees and sunny in the valley but it could be a blizzard up above treeline. There is also some ice climbing, a lot of it is still forming so please be careful out there, but after these cold temperatures we have been able to get in some early climbing in this season!
What about those forest roads that make our lives so easy? Well they are starting to close as well. Right now Bear Notch Road is closed for the season. That means if you are coming over the Rt. 112, Kancamagus highway, going towards Bartlett, you will now have to continue on 112 to pick up Rt. 16 in Conway. Other popular roads such as Zealand Road are planned to close Thanksgiving weekend but as with everything else, with changing conditions it could happen earlier with a big snow or ice storm. Check online as the website will change with the closures. Click here for updated road closures.

Found ice today in Crawford Notch!

On a lighter note, Thanksgiving is coming! Pinkham Notch Visitors Center will be hosting a feast fit for kings and queens on Thanksgiving day. Dinner will be served from 1-6pm with seating every 30 minutes. Reservations are recommended and spots are filling quickly. Call to make your Thanksgiving reservation today! FREE programs will also be offered that following weekend that will be fun for folks of all ages. Everything from fun local hikes with AMC naturalists to intriguing evening programs and sitting next to a fire with a cup of hot chocolate. All are welcome and all programs are free.

For
any general questions, conditions information, or trail advice, please
feel free to contact us here at the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center front
desk. We are available by phone at (603) 466-2721 every day from 6:30 AM
to 9:00 PM or by email at amcpinkhaminfo@outdoors.org. To make reservations at AMC Lodges and Huts, please call (603)466-2727 available Monday through Saturday 9am-5pm. Be sure to check weather conditions before you come and call us here with any questions! We'll see you up here!